Hey everyone, It's been quite a long time since I have dared to publish, but decided to finally do so after a year. I think I am in a better place mentally and have decided to slowly start writing again. I hope you all are doing well and doing great :). Thank you for giving my writing a chance and have a wonderful day :).

Language is mature and this book is rated Mature.

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The rain fell silently. Time appeared to stop. The only sound visible was thunder that roared, howled, and screamed as if begging to be listened to. Its screams held a warning. But, if only I would listen.

A shy smile touched my lips as I ran my fingers against the red shades that painted the lines of my fate. I observed the deep shades of mehendi that vined around my palms to symbolize the red shades of love which now embraced every piece of my body. A nervous tremble went through me incited from the intimate fantasies which coasted on to my beating, erratic heart.

Tomorrow right at midnight, I will be known as Mrs. Oberoi. The wait was long, but worth it. Never would I have thought he would become mine. All these years, I had figured I was living in an illusion, but I was wrong and for the first time I am glad I was wrong. I will finally have him now and God...I pray that nothing goes wrong. I have prayed for so long to have him and I cannot even think of a life now without him. I pray everything goes well. I do not know why, but my heart has been very uneasy lately. I feel as if something wrong is about to happen, butnot knowing what. That is why I am praying that tomorrow I get the chance to take my wedding vows with the man I have imagined my future with.

"Dr. Malhotra!" The demonic voice crashed my thoughts and burned out my hopes to pull me back to cruel reality. A shiver waved through from the sound of the stern, agonstic voice. My eyes shot up to encounter his piercing blue hues, that now bored themselves upon me, ready to bury me into the ground.

"Yes Dr. Oberoi?!" I let out a mouse like squeak and slapped my clipboard against my lips to hide myself from the gargoyle, carnal man in front. He seethed and trembled as he let out his little fang like teeth ready to make me his victim since he was yet to have his daily meal of a poor medical resident or fellow's raw flesh. Great I am his meal today. Again.

Shivaay Singh Oberoi is the name. And remember it.

Demons like him are born once every era after deaths of many angels...Oh Shivaay. The man I detest the most and would be the last I would ever see myself with...Even if the world will end...I shall die with it rather than choose the option of making demon babies with him. The thought of him being a mate is puke worthy.

My eyes dowered down to his body noticing it stiffen like it always did in my presence. He raised his head high since he was the crowned King of Assholes as he raised his nose and pretended to whiff the air...I often imagine he is whiffing the smell of sweaty asses to amuse myself. Yeah yeah I know my jokes are lame...but I am laughing.

"You look mighty handsome today..." I flashed him my pearly white million dollar smile ready to beguile him hoping this time he would let me off the hook.

My eyes dribbled down to his body somewhat agreeing with my fake compliment realizing this duffer was looking quite handsome today...The way his black shirt and pants perfectly tugged his robust muscles which contrasted with his heavy beard that outlined his elegant jaw. If only he was not an ass, I might have just digged him...But that asshole mouth of his is the biggest turn off. Shit I wonder how women tolerate him in bed...considering how likely he would be yapping out his tunnel like big mouth and lapping at woman like a goat...He does have a big mouth....Likely would be jerking himself off....Ewwww....Yuck. Gross.

Oh God...I am getting horrific images right now.

He grumbled and threw me a glare not amused by the compliment as I raised my eyebrows flirtatiously up and down.

"And that is not the answer to my question Dr. Anika Malhotra. Do you even know what question I have just posed for rest of your fellow medical residents? Or as usual, you are lost in your Cinderella fantasy world where you are imagining being swept off your feet by your dear prince charming and finally able to avoid work...since you love being the damsel in distress and getting work done for you. Avoiding work and not doing your job is a habit you like to indulge in and pray that it comes permanent after marriage! I mean how can I forget since our childhoods, you have loved not doing work...the Princess Lazy Bum as aunty used to say."

He spoke in his typical snooty, arrogant, dusky tone that always left a foul rotten egg taste in my mouth. I scowled at him immediately as I heard mild snickers from behind. He formed a precarious smirk and crossed his arms appearing to throw me a challenging look or basically showing off that in the work environment I cannot beat his ass up.

An awkward silence, which only held some giggles and whispers, swept the conference room. All the medical residents shot their heads up with intrigue wanting to see what punishment I will get today for being Ms. Loudmouth.

Let's just say I have a very good reputation of being a childish, lost soul amongst the medical residents. Even though I am their superior, as a doctor who is in last year of completing my invasive cardiology fellowship, I am often treated like their junior. Because this genius, blue eyed bagad billa loves to pile me up with shit everyday that is just scout work...which theresidents should be doing, but no he is out on a mission to ensure I do not get properly trained and kill a patient, so I could get kicked out of my job. How lovely. If the boss does not give you respect then how will the residents?

"Oh yes Dr. Billu how can I forget Ma used to call me Princess Lazy Bum?...Billlluuuu you have such good memory! By the way...I like the nickname your Daadi gave you more than the one my mom gave me. Billu is such a cute nickname! Awww...a cute little kitten! Billu!" I sung out his pet name in a sweet, melodic tone ensuring everyone hears us.

His hand slammed the podium and he let out a vicious growl in my direction. I threw him an impish smile and winked. Oops. I turned the game on him. He thought he had me.

Poor Billu got embarrassed. Awwww....poor Billu wants a huggy and a kissy now? Does Billu want his mommy like he always did when I punched him in his balls?...Awwww...So sad.

Not. Dr. Fucking Asshole...You deserved this.

He hates that nickname of his. Poor guy has been stuck with it for ages. The clown who runs the Cardiology unit as a dictator, is quite the joke in his house. No one takes him seriously which is so ironic. No wonder he takes out his frustrations at work...searching for victims to attack, so he could empower himself and go home to get brutally slaughtered by his toxic family.

"Dr. Malhotra, do I have to remind you that this is a professional work environment? Personal relations have no place here in the hospital. Do you really want me to file another complaint in HR again regarding your behavior issues?" He clenched and unclenched his jaw trying to hold on to his anger knowing that our relationship was soon to change and he is expected to show respect to me no matter what tantrums I throw.

Ah yes. The tall tale of HR. He and I have become quite the buddies with our HR reps who now are under serious suspicions we are secretly a couple who vent out our animosities at work and go to them with our problems. In fact, now they just take our complaints and file it without even saying a word because a day later we usually take it back...and they assume we likely had tons of hot make up sex in the back closet of the operation theater...leading to reconciliation.

If only they knew we both would not even kiss let alone touch each other. But, oh well we cannot stop rumors can we? The whole hospital thinks we are in some hot affair because apparently we are too feisty with each other and overtly comfortable. Psshhh..as if.

"So you could take it back the next day? Sure go on and send off the complaint Dr. Oberoi. HR surely looks forward to hosting a daily session of how to handle a 'temper tantrum throwing, overtly sensitive toddler' with me regarding you!'"

I snorted back the insult at him as everyone erupted into chuckles and giggles. His jaw dropped open appalled by my jab, but somewhat used to it considering this is part of our daily evening routine. To talk shit to each other at our huddle meeting before clocking out for the night

to go home and pleasure oneself or have sex. What we doctors have needs? Except I only go for pleasuring myself as a desperate virgin...He goes to fuck his whiny, model girlfriend.

I rolled my eyes and slapped my clipboard on my lap deciding to go on silent mode. This argument will take the entire night if we go at it, so best to shut it.

Shivaay took a loud, deep sigh and slapped his finger on the laptop to move forward to the next slide of his presentation. Wow. He let go of the matter. Hain? When did this start happening? Well this man has been behaving oddly ever since things got personal for both of us.

I smiled slightly and stared at the small diamond in my ring finger that had now become my crown jewel of respect and honor. This ring is the key force that has shut down that Shivaay Singh Oberoi's mouth and made him for once give me some respect or at least attempt at it. Afterall, now I will be the first daughter-in-law of the Oberoi family considering this idiot decided to forgo marriage a long time back. Running on a solid 33 and still not married.

My phone lit up next to me making my heart skip a beat. I formed a blushing smile and looked at the name on the top knowing exactly who it was.

Vikram Oberoi.

Are you guys coming or not? Mallika and I are waiting at the restaurant for you both right now. It's important we have a discussion before the wedding tomorrow. I want Shivaay present also. So, don't get in an argument with him that he ditches this plan of a double date. I am serious Anika.

Great. Here I expected a romantic message from my fiancé, but I am getting a lecture like I am child who is being told to not fight with a kid in the park because we apparently have a forced play date due to our mumma being friends...Well that part is true. Shivaay and I have been hooked to the hip for a long time due to our moms. It sucks. I remember that sheer joy I help once Shivaay actually turned out to be genius and skipped grades to go off to medical school at age 18...That was heaven to me. Sweet delight.

"Dr. Malhotra are you paying attention or have we lost you again? I am posing a critical question to our group right now. Considering you came up with this idea and nagged me day and night to pursue it...I am surprised that right now you are not paying attention."

Shivaay's eyes snapped down to the iPhone in my small little hands. He scowled and pursed his lips tightly appearing to be upset as if not liking how he did not have my attention. I flushed red in embarrassment realizing he was valid in calling me out for my insensitivity considering this idea was mine.

"Um...it was Vikram. He wants us to hurry and meet him and Mallika up for dinner."

His gaze shifted slightly darkening just it always did when he heard Vikram's name from my lips. There was a definite coldness between the brothers which always has been a mystery. All I have observed is they have a distance which both like to maintain. No wonder, Shivaay likely is not looking forward to dinner tonight.

"Well he can wait. Tomorrow you both are getting married anyways. What is the hurry? That man needs to learn patience if he wants your guys' marriage to succeed. So, let him wait. Our work is more important Dr. Malhotra. Our profession always come before family and relationships. Out of everyone, you should know this the most considering the long journey you have had in medicine. You are almost ready to go out and be an independent physician without any oversight, so best you learn to prioritize your career over your husband and family. I hope you understand as I do not like to repeat myself," His voice piqued with subtle vexation indicative he was genuinely irked by lack of attention.

Aware of how quickly his temper can be triggered, I decided to not back talk and threw my phone into my white coat. Considering we both have to go out to dinner tonight, I rather not create a ruckus. Best to keep the peace until the wedding. Shivaay is not worth it.

Shivaay tapped his fingers gently against the laptop staring at the slide that was projected to the screen in front appearing to be lost in a trance. Our eyes meeting briefly only to send a current. I felt an unusual shiver go pass through me incited from his boring blue eyes that held a spark within them. It felt weird...as if he was speaking a riddle to me through those eyes.

He cleared his throat loudly and scratched his brow appearing to try to remember what he wanted to say.

"Well, as we were discussing, Dr. Malhotra had brought up a preposition that the hospital should be involved in more charitable work which will serve our mission of increasing equal access to healthcare to the underprivileged. My father, or as I shall say the chairman of Oberoi Hospitals, certainly agrees with this idea and so him, Dr. Malhotra, and I drew up a plan to begin setting up medical camps in various countries where there is lesser access to basic healthcare. As we previously discussed, our first medical camp will be in India with the trip ready to set four in five days."

I heard a small groan from the people behind me who were not looking forward to the trip I had planned out for them. Throwing my head back, I shot back a darting look to the blonde and red head chicks in the back who were not looking forward to the trip.

Idiots. Morons. Ready to make the cash, but not committed to their profession. These are the basic bitches who should have been filtered out by medical school interviewers, but of course they likely seduced their way through them.

"Now as I have been repeatedly asking Dr. Malhotra this question and she slyly has ignored it out of embarrassment considering she failed to do this task of hers...let me ask her once again...Dr. Malhotra, how many people have you gotten to sign up for this trip and arranged plane tickets for? Also, what about accommodations?"

Shivaay pulled out a mischievious smirk and threw the light on me ready to make me a clown. I clenched my teeth tightly and grumbled aware he had done this on purpose since he knew I was having a difficult time securing physicians and making arrangements.

This moron had piled me with scout work and cardiac procedures the entire week not letting me take a break once. Fuck he made me sleep deprived to a point that I almost ran over a coyote on my way back home. Yes a coyote.

"May you please come up here in front and tell everyone what you have planned?" He drew his hand out to introduce the stage to me.

I trembled in my anger and got up from my chair ready to take him down. If this is how you want to play then I shall play. Oh it's on.

I stomped my feet to the podium letting my hips sway through the tight fitted plum red dress I wore. His eyes seemingly drew down to my curvaceous waist appearing to observe its rims and edges before they shot up towards my face. I gave him a teasing smile amused by how even my enemy was attracted to my beauty. My curves can kill.

Stop Anika. What the hell are you thinking? Ewww...No. He is Vikram's brother. Something is seriously wrong with you. This is what happens when you have been sleep deprived for weeks.

I pressed my heel gently on to the tip of his shoe. He bit his lip to surpress a howl in an attempt to not let anyone know how easily I can control him. Let's just say when he misbehaves, I know how to bring him back in line. He gave me a dirty look as I formed a wide smile and turned towards the rest of the medical residents who found themselves intrigued by the silent talk between Shivaay and I.

"Well, the trip is in five days in India where we will be traveling mainly to the North eastern part to provide medical services. So far, we have assembled a team of twenty five doctors from various specialties ranging in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dentistry, gastroenterology, and cardiology, of course. This key demographic group will be checked for various common ailments and conditions from where we will properly prescribe them treatment and help them gain access to local hospitals to which we have formed strong ties with that will keep track of their treatment. As I convinced Dr. Oberoi and Mr. Shakti Singh Oberoi, we as a hospital organization will be funding such local hospitals through a trust that we have set up and fund raising."

My words flew over the heads of everyone in the room. They appeared in discomfort from hearing my long, mundane lecture with some ready to take a nap. Shivaay let out a chuckle and hid his face into the laptop screen to not let the inferiors knows he himself had snoozed.

Flipping my hair with confidence, I took a peak my clipboard and back at the residents not ready to get fazed by any of them. This is my dream and I will not let anyone disrespect it including these low lives.

"Anyhow, the arrangements have been done. The flights are booked for early Saturday morning and it will take about twenty-one hours with one layover from here San Francisco to Delhi, India. Once we get there, we have arranged personal drivers who will take us to the local bed and breakfast type of hotel in the area...I will forewarn that if you are expecting five star then that is not possible since this a remote region we are going to. I urge you all to be serious about this cause rather than find it as a way to earn brownie points for helping the poor. Genuinely go there not for photo ops that you can show off to your families or the people you are lusting over to impress them about your kind heartedness. This community really needs our help. They live in villages that are far away from the local doctor let alone a hospital. Most of them likely never had a medical checkup and have gone undiagnosed with critical, chronic conditions. Many have medical conditions that they ignore because they are daily wage laborers or farmers who eat from hand to mouth. This is a unique experience that I feel all of you should have because we as Americans sometimes can become very ignorant and self-obsessed to a point that we never see the sufferings of others, but continue to curse our lives that are actually a luxury. So, if you want to fucking sleep on me and see this trip as something trivial and not serious, then get the fuck out of this meeting!"

I slammed my clipboard angrily against the podium unaware it had landed right on Shivaay's hand. He yelped and punched his knuckle into his mouth to bite into the pain. Fuming and seething, I crossed my arms and began to dart my eye back and forth at my audience giving them a warning look.

A storm of gasps and growls erupted around me. Some eyes widened while others threw me a grimy expression unimpressed by my crass language. Well shit. I don't care. They can go ahead and complaint to HR, but I am an Oberoi bahu now. I have all rights to put them down. My father-in-law owns this place.

"How dare you speak to us in such a manner?! It's not our fault we are not looking forward to a poorly arranged trip! You should have gotten us a hotel in the city...I searched this bed and breakfast up and definitely it is not up to par!" The cranky red head spoke in a dramatic tone while the group of blondes and wiry men shook their head in agreement clearly now ganging up on me.

I sighed and growled loudly exposing my teeth to them. My breath trembled as I wildly threw my hair back. Everyone's mouth zipped up as they began to smell my burning rage. A small laugh rang behind me as I looked at Shivaay who, as usual, was getting a kick out of my anger. I do not know why he thinks I look funny when I am angry...the only idiot who never get's scared of my temper.

"Well what do you expect in a remote area?! It will take us two hours from the city to the village every day which will cost time that we can use to treat people! The bed and breakfast is not bad at all! Pretty big and spacious...has a view to the jungle and mountains. Food is great! What else do you want your majesty?! Do you want me to get them to roll out a red carpet for you since an American is coming to town! For once stop being self centered!"

I threw my hand up at her and showed her my fangs as a threat letting her know she will get it from me if she dares to open that big mouth of hers'. Shivaay now taking a step next to me and forming a serious, stern look which he always kept for all us suboridnates...expect me who can rile him up at times and even incite a laugh at end of an argument.

"I am not being self centered! We deserve proper accommodations in the city not a village! We do not want to put our health at risk. Dr. Malhotra are you sure you are doing your job correctly? Perhaps, you are too busy in wedding planning and the realm of housekeeping that you just signed us up for some random place to stay at!"

My jaw dropped open from hearing the questioning of my integrity and seriousness towards my profession. How can she even raise this question? Everyone knows how much I sacrifice for my job. I have missed parties, family events, and basically every damn thing related to the word "fun" for doing my duties as a physician. How can they question my intentions?

"Enough! That is enough for now! Dr. Malhotra is a fellow attending in this program meaning she is your boss...so show her respect. You all are residents who are under her supervision. So, learn to behave and stay within your limits." Shivaay silenced everyone with his mere commanding voice that shockingly had taken my side today.

I looked back at him with my wide eyes completely caught off guard. His gaze softened towards me which further set off a current within my body trying to ensure I was not dreaming. Wait... Dr. Asshole...is supporting me? And telling everyone to respect me? Didn't a moment ago he just taunt me in front of everyone? Is this not the same man who yells and barks at me in front of all my inferiors? What happened to him today? Is he high on drugs?

He turned towards everyone and snatched the flyers from my clipboard before handing it off to the doctor in front to give to others. He appeared to take full control of everyone in the room as they all retrieved back into their caves not willing to face off with the Chief of Cardiology.

"I have a right to treat Dr. Malhotra the way I want because I am her boss. However, none you have that right since she is your superior. So, in a professional manner you must all raise your concerns. Clearly, you all have forgotten the meaning of professionalism and HR will definitely be looking forward to speak to you all tomorrow morning. Anyhow, if you have any concerns regarding the trip email them to me and I will speak with Dr. Malhotra about them. This meeting is now over. Best to cool off rather than further indulge in this conversation."

Wow. I gaped at him with my mouth going completely dry feeling impressed. Hain? Billu is taking my side? Oh my God.

The magic of this engagement ring. I stared at the diamond in my hand and smiled realizing the perks of being an Oberoi bahu. Yay...I am no more loser Anika Malhotra, but Anika Singh Oberoi...daughter-in-law of Oberoi family. Of course, Billu has to take my side now...I am his family's izzat.

I quickly went to my chair and grabbed my large tote bag to stuff my clipboard and laptop into it. Taking off my white coat, I threw it into my bag before putting on my black leather jacket that was the perfect fit for the fall weather. The weight of my bag making me stumble before a hand grasped on to my back. Heat seeped through the thin cloth of dress sending a shiver down my spine. I flinched immediately and took a step back recognizing the blue eyes in sight. My body slightly trembled with a current rushing through me. It felt odd...peculiar...not something experienced ever.

"Shall we get going now? Vikram and Mallika must be waiting for us." He broke the awkwardness and snatched his hand off of my back. Grabbing his laptop bag, he slid it across his body and threw on his black blazer. He began to take quick strides out of the conference room expecting me to follow along.

We both made our way quietly down the busy lobby towards the center doors. An array of eyes followed in our direction somewhat intrigued by the "mystery" he and I carried. Except there is no mystery. Strangely, the staff in this hospital has found itself indulging in a baseless rumor that he and I are having an affair. God knows where it came from, but apparently everyone is thinking that despite I being engaged, he and I have some sort of relationship considering how much time we spend bickering in his office or the operation theater.

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Next update will be in a few days. This is a summer book meaning it will have not that many chapters and hopefully end by September :). Thank you for reading and take care :).